After winning his sixth badge in Fuchsia City, Ash and the others head to the world famous Safari Zone. When Ash tries to catch a pokémon, a Growlithe attacks him. Then a girl named Lara comes by and tells them that this is actually her family's pokémon ranch. After apologizing, Ash, Misty, and Brock follow her to her home where they learn of a festival going on in town. They also learn about the race the following day, which Lara will enter with her Ponyta. It also turns out that her family's rival will be entering the race and she needs to beat him. That night, he hires Team Rocket to make sure Lara does not compete, and they wind up breaking her arm. She then picks Ash as her replacement for the race, who must win it or else.